Picea pungens tree named ‘INHoopMo’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Picea pungens  tree having a large, narrow conical shaped tree, all propagations develop orthotropic leader growth, and intense silver-blue colored foliage, as disclosed.

Genus and species: Picea pungens.

Denomination: ‘INHoopMo’.

BACKGROUND

‘INHoopMo’ is a new and distinct variety of Picea pungens. ‘INHoopMo’ originated from a controlled cross conducted in May 2001 in a greenhouse in Boring, Oreg. of the female Picea pungens parent ‘Hoopsii’ (unpatented) and the male Picea pungens parent ‘Montgomery’ (unpatented). The seeds from this cross germinated in May 2002.

‘INHoopMo’ was selected and first asexually propagated in January 2009 in Boring, Oreg. via grafting onto an unnamed Picea abies rootstock (unpatented).

‘INHoopMo’ reproduces true to type in successive generations since 2009 of asexual reproduction via grafting onto an unnamed Picea abies rootstock (unpatented).

SUMMARY

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in Boring, Oreg.

-   -   1. Large, narrow conical shaped tree     -   2. All propagations develop orthotropic leader growth; and     -   3. Intense silver-blue colored foliage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Picea pungens tree is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the plant's overall plant habit including form and foliage. The photographs are of a 10-year-old tree grown outdoors in Boring, Oreg. and were taken in June 2022 under cloudy conditions. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

FIG. 1 shows the overall form of the whole tree of ‘INHoopMo’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of the buds and needles or leaves of the tree of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of the terminal branch shoot of the tree of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘INHoopMo’. The data which define these characteristics were collected outdoors in Boring, Oreg. in June 2022 on 10-year-old trees in Boring, Oregon. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) 2001, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Pinaceae.         -   Botanical.—Picea pungens.         -   Denomination.—‘INHoopMo’. -   Tree:     -   -   Type.—Evergreen conifer.         -   Shape.—Narrow conical.         -   Growth and branching habit.—Large compact tree, single             flush, with uniform branching pattern; no staking required;             straight leader.         -   Propagation type.—Grafting onto an unnamed Picea abies             rootstock (unpatented).         -   Height (from soil line).—250 cm at 10 years.         -   Width (horizontal plant diameter).—145 cm at 10 years.         -   Length of terminal 1-year shoots.—30.0 cm to 40.0 cm.         -   Length of subterminal 1-year shoots.—15.0 cm to 20.0 cm.         -   Diameter of trunk.—14.0 cm at 10 years.         -   Temperature tolerance or zones.—USDA Zones 2 to 8. -   Leaves (needles):     -   -   Arrangement.—Radial, single.         -   Quantity of leaves/needles per terminal one-year branch             shoot.—490 to 500.         -   Quantity of leaves/needles per subterminal one-year branch             shoot.—200 to 300.         -   Shape.—Needle-like, acicular.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Attenuate, attached to leaf peg.         -   Margin.—Entire, smooth.         -   Leaf length, terminal shoot.—Basal: 1.0 cm to 1.5 cm;             Medial: 2.5 cm to 3.0 cm.         -   Distal.—1.5 cm to 2.0 cm.         -   Width.—0.2 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth and covered with waxy layer.         -   Pubescence.—Absent.         -   Mature leaf color for both upper and lower surfaces.—RHS             122D (Blue-Green).         -   Mature leaf color when wax rubbed off.—RHS 189A             (Greyed-Green).         -   Petioles.—Leaves are sessile on a short peg. -   Buds: Buds are currently in the developmental stage and changing in     characteristic. Buds are typical in size, color, and shape of the     species. -   Cones: No male or female cones have been observed to date. -   Disease/pest resistance: No specific disease or pest resistance has     been observed to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL LINES

Table 1 shows a comparison of the differences between ‘INHOOPMO’ and the commercial Picea pungens tree ‘Fat Albert’ (unpatented).

TABLE 1 Comparison with Commercial Line Characteristic ‘INHoopMo’ ‘Fat Albert’ Shape Narrow conical Wide conical Size, height × width 250 cm × 145 cm 290 cm × 190 cm at 10-years-old Mature needle/leaf color RHS 122D (Blue- RHS 130D (Green) Green)

Table 2 shows a comparison of differences between ‘INHoopMo’ and the parental lines.

TABLE 2 Comparison with Parental Lines Female parent Male parent Characteristic ‘INHoopMo’ ‘Hoopsii’ ‘Montgomery’ Shape Narrow conical Irregular conical Irregular flat- tened mound as an immature tree and wide conical as a mature tree Branch growth Orthotropic Plagiotropic Plagiotropic type Growth habit Large and compact; Large open tree; Dwarf compact uniform branching; staking and tree; flattened no staking required; pruning required mound when straight leader for tree-like immature and habit wide-conical when mature Growth rate 30 cm to 40 cm 35 cm to 45 cm 10 cm to 20 cm cm/year Size, height × 250 cm × 145 cm 230 cm × 135 90 cm × 105 width at cm cm 10-years-old Mature needle/ RHS 122D RHS 112C RHS 122B leaf color (Blue-Green) (Blue-Green) (Blue-Green) 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Picea pungens tree designated ‘INHoopMo’ as illustrated and described herein. 